Chapter 13: Treatment

processes, coagulation
Content

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Coagulation process

13.3 Coagulants and flocculants

13.3.1 Definitions
13.3.2 Coagulants
13.3.3 Flocculants
13.3.4 Health effects

13.4 Coagulation and flocculation

13.4.1 Overview
13.4.2 Jar testing
13.4.3 Performance and control

13.5 Clarification and sedimentation

13.5.1 Overview
13.5.2 Clarifier types
13.5.3 Optimisation and performance issues

10

13.6 Lime softening and ion exchange

13.6.1 Lime softening
13.6.2 Ion exchange

14

13.7 Rapid granular media filtration

13.7.1 Overview
13.7.2 Turbidity monitoring
13.7.3 Filter operation
13.7.4 Optimisation of the filtration process

16

13.8 Second stage filtration

21

References

22

List of figures
Figure 13.1: Conventional coagulation, sedimentation and filtration
Figure 13.2: Direct filtration
Figure 13.3: Lamella plates
Figure 13.4: Adsorption clarifier
Figure 13.5: Dissolved air flotation (DAF)
Figure 13.6: Actiflo process
Figure 13.7: Rapid granular media filter

Note
In December 2013, legislation changed the term public health risk management plan to water
safety plan. Any reference within this text to public health risk management plan has been
changed to reflect the new legislation. No other changes have been made to this document.

13.1 Introduction
This chapter covers the water treatment process of chemical coagulation, with or without
sedimentation. It also covers the situation where sedimentation is not followed by rapid granular
media filtration. The discussion on coagulation includes details of chemical coagulants and
polyelectrolytes used in the process. The separate stages of coagulation: flocculation and
conventional sedimentation (also called clarification) are included. In current terminology
sedimentation is one of a number of processes that are grouped as clarification. New high-rate
clarification processes, (lamella plates, tube settlers, buoyant media clarifiers, dissolved air
flotation (DAF) and Actiflo) are also covered in this chapter.
The discussion on filtration in this chapter covers only rapid gravity granular media filtration
(pressure filters are used sometimes). This is the most common filtration method following
coagulation in use in New Zealand. Other filtration methods that do not normally involve
coagulation, eg, diatomaceous earth, cartridge, slow sand and membrane filtration, are discussed
separately in Chapter 14. Although coagulation is commonly practised with membrane filtration to
remove colour, membrane filtration does not rely on coagulation for removal of protozoa and is
therefore classified separately as filtration without coagulation, in terms of the Drinking-water
Standards for New Zealand 2005, revised 2008 (DWSNZ).
The combined process of coagulation and filtration is used commonly throughout New Zealand and
is effective at removing dissolved and colloidal colour (natural organic matter), turbidity
(suspended solids), algae (phytoplankton), bacteria, viruses and protozoa (eg, Giardia and
Cryptosporidium). This treatment combination is often referred to as conventional treatment.
The DWSNZ outline turbidity criteria and turbidity monitoring requirements that must be met by
water treatment plants to ensure compliance with the protozoa criteria. Guidance on compliance
with respect to coagulation and filtration is discussed in Chapter 8: Protozoa Compliance, section
8.3.2 of these Guidelines; this chapter concentrates more on operational aspects.
This chapter includes a section (section 13.6) that discusses lime softening. This usually operates at
a pH that is high enough for calcium and magnesium salts to form a floc, so as well as softening the
water, organic matter, turbidity and (oo)cysts can be removed. Therefore the process can earn
protozoal log credits, see Chapter 8: Protozoal Compliance, section 8.4.2.1. Water softening (and
other benefits) by using ion exchange is included in section 13.6 for completeness, although the
process does not include coagulation and does not earn log credits. Softening is also discussed
briefly in Chapter 18: Aesthetic Considerations, section 18.3, and in Chapter 19: Small, Individual
and Roof Supplies, section 19.3.4.
The 2008 DWSNZ include a new section, section 5.17: Alternative processes: treatment compliance
criteria, whereby water suppliers may apply to the Ministry of Health to have other treatment
processes assessed for a log credit rating. This approach, which is explained more fully in section
8.4.5 of the Guidelines, allows water suppliers to apply for a log credit rating (or a variation to the
prescribed log credits) for a treatment plant or process:
a)

not covered in sections 5.15.16 of the DWSNZ

b)

that performs demonstrably better than its compliance criteria

c)

that performs to a lesser, but reliable, level than specified in its compliance criteria.

Some process variation is normal and expected; however, too much variability can result in
treatment failures, leading to waterborne disease outbreaks. An objective of the DWSNZ, therefore,
is to keep process variability within acceptable limits. Understanding the causes of process
variations should prevent recurrences. Problems may be able to be avoided and the time spent
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Chapter 13: Treatment processes, coagulation January 2014

problem solving can be reduced by implementing an effective risk management plan (water safety
plan).
AWWA (2000) produced a series of manuals covering control of coagulation, filtration, softening,
and the chemicals used for these, see full list of standards at
http://www.awwa.org/files/Resources/Standards/StandardsSpreadsheet.xls
Risk management issues related to the treatment processes in this chapter are discussed in the:

MoH water safety plan guide Ref. P5.1: Treatment Processes

Coagulation/Flocculation/Sedimentation.

MoH water safety plan guide Ref. P5.2: Treatment Processes Dissolved Air Flotation.

MoH water safety plan guide Ref. P5.3: Treatment Processes Direct Filtration.

MoH water safety plan guide Ref. P6.1: Treatment Processes Rapid Sand Filtration.

MoH water safety plan guide Ref. P8.1: Treatment Processes pH Adjustment.

MoH water safety plan guide Ref. P11: Treatment Processes Plant Construction and Operation.

Records should be kept of all chemicals used in treatment processes. These should include the
supplier, certification of the specification and grade of the chemical and datasheets, routine
monitoring of the quality and standard of chemicals used, conditions of its supply and subsequent
storage. Records of actual dosing of the chemical should show the chemical name, rates and
quantity of the chemical dosed, the type and calibration of the equipment used. A method
statement should give standard procedures in case of failure or breakdown of the system, with
associated safety data sheets and Hazchem labelling for all chemicals used.
The Water Supply Managers Committee of the New Zealand Water and Wastes Association
(NZWWA) has been developing standards for chemicals used in water treatment. These cover
aluminium sulphate, hydrated lime, fluorides and three polyelectrolytes.
DWI (2011) has a list of chemicals that have been approved for use in water supply in the UK.
Documentation of the quality and quantity of chemicals used in the treatment process is important
for the appraisal of the efficiency of the processes being used, and may affect which Priority 2
determinands are assigned to a supply and the frequency of sampling required for them.
The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996 now controls the use of the
following chemicals:

chlorine gas

calcium hypochlorite

sulphuric acid

hydrochloric acid

sodium hydroxide

aqua ammonia

hydrogen peroxide

potassium permanganate.

Since 1 October 2004 users may need a Location Test Certificate and/or an Approved Handler Test
Certificate. Details are available by using the Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Controls and Other
Useful Links at www.ermanz.govt.nz.

13.2 Coagulation process

Coagulation, flocculation and clarification, followed by rapid granular media filtration, are the key
steps in conventional water treatment systems. This is a well-proven technology for the significant
removal of colour and particulate matter including protozoa (eg, Cryptosporidium oocysts and
Giardia cysts), viruses, bacteria, and other micro-organisms. Iron, manganese, tastes and odours
may also be removed from the water by these processes.
If not removed, natural organic matter can react with chlorine to reduce disinfection efficiency and
form chlorinated organic species, eg, disinfection by-products (DBPs), some of which are chemical
determinands of health significance, see Chapter 10: Chemical Compliance and Chapter 15:
Treatment Processes, Disinfection. Micro-organisms remaining in treated water may also pose
risks to public health.
Conventional treatment (coagulation, sedimentation and sand filtration), as illustrated in
Figure 13.1, has several distinct stages. A coagulant is added to neutralise the natural electrical
charges on the colloidal particles that prevent them from agglomerating, and is rapidly mixed into
the water to be treated. This process is referred to as the coagulation stage; it is sometimes referred
to as the colloid destabilisation phase. The process water will then enter a flocculation chamber,
where further chemicals may be added depending upon the raw water characteristics and the level
and rate of treatment to be achieved. Gentle mixing during this stage allows particles to
agglomerate and form settleable flocs.
Figure 13.1: Conventional coagulation, sedimentation and filtration

Clarification usually follows the flocculation process. Typically in New Zealand this involves
sedimentation or settling, which allows the formed flocs to be separated for subsequent removal as
sludge. Clarification is then followed by filtration which provides a second, polishing step for
particulates that were not removed during the clarification step. The DWSNZ also cover the
situation where rapid granular media filtration does not follow the sedimentation stage.
Some membrane filtration (MF) plants incorporate a coagulation and sedimentation step upstream
of the MF step. The coagulation process may be continuous, or intermittent depending on the raw
water quality.
For raw waters with consistently low colour (eg, less than 40 TCU) and low turbidity (eg, less than
10 NTU), direct filtration can be adopted, as illustrated in Figure 13.2. There is no clarification step
in this case, and the coagulated water flows directly to the filtration process, providing the only
particulate removal step. If the solids loading is too high, the filters will require frequent washing,
which may lead to supply problems.

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Chapter 13: Treatment processes, coagulation January 2014

Figure 13.2: Direct filtration

As new clarification processes are emerging and becoming increasingly common, further variances
from the conventional coagulation/filtration process may become more common. Lamella plates
can be installed in place of traditional sedimentation tanks, and tube settlers can be placed in the
tanks. These do not alter the basic principles of the process, but they may improve the efficiency
and allow higher throughputs for the same footprint to be achieved.
Dissolved air flotation (DAF) can be installed in place of the conventional sedimentation tank (or
clarifier) and this process floats, rather than settles, the flocs. Widely used in Europe and now
becoming more common in North America, DAF can be used for treating moderate turbidity and
high colour waters. It is especially effective at removing algae, which can be difficult to remove by
sedimentation and would otherwise clog downstream filters, and for raw waters that produce flocs
with poor settling characteristics. The DAF process can be a good choice for very cold water
temperatures because it is more effective at removing the weak flocs that are commonly produced
in such waters.
A further development, the Actiflo process, is a ballasted flocculation process, which adds
microsand to the flocculation chamber. Coagulation, flocculation and clarification are provided as a
single unit.
A further variation is the buoyant media clarifier (also called the adsorption clarifier). This process
combines the flocculation and clarifier into one stage, and effectively acts more like a filtration
process, rather than a settling clarifier. This process is best suited for raw waters of lower turbidity.
See WHO (2004a) for a description of coagulation systems, some operational aspects, and a
discussion on their ability to remove various organisms. Refer also to Chapter 5 of the review draft
LT2ESWTR Toolbox Guidance Manual (USEPA 2009) which discusses issues related to
sedimentation.
The USEPA talks of enhanced coagulation as though this were a new type of water treatment
process. USEPA (2007) states that enhanced coagulation can include one or more of the following
operational changes:

increasing the coagulant dose

changing the coagulant

adjusting the pH (eg, using acid to lower the pH to as low as 5.5)

improving mixing conditions or applying a moderate dosage of an oxidant

adding a polymer.

Some advantages of enhanced coagulation are said to include:

improving disinfection effectiveness

reducing DBP formation

reducing bromate formation

enhancing arsenic and radionuclide removal.

Based on the above, enhanced coagulation would seem to be little more than optimising the
process.

13.3 Coagulants and flocculants

13.3.1 Definitions
The addition of certain chemicals into the raw water causes particles to destabilise and allows
agglomeration and floc formation to occur. The general terms for chemicals used for this purpose
are:

coagulants, which assist the destabilisation of particles (particularly colloidal sizes)

flocculants (also known as flocculant aids or coagulant aids), which assist in the joining and
enmeshing of the particles together. Most flocculants used today are polyelectrolytes.

13.3.2 Coagulants
Most New Zealand water treatment plants use aluminium-based coagulants (eg, aluminium
sulphate (alum) or polyaluminium chloride (PACl PACl is the preferred acronym because PAC
can also mean powdered activated carbon). Aluminium chlorohydrate (ACH) has limited usage,
mainly in membrane filtration. A very small number of plants use iron-based coagulants (ferric
chloride or ferric sulphate). Although alum and PACl are most commonly used, other coagulants
may have benefits in particular applications, such as low turbidity waters. NZWWA (1997, revised
2012) published the second edition of a standard that covered aluminium-based coagulants.
PACl and ACH are two of a number of pre-hydrolysed metal salt coagulant solutions that have been
developed in recent years. The key characteristic of this class of coagulants is that they consume
less alkalinity when added to the raw water, and are less affected by low water temperatures than
alum.
In addition to aluminium and iron-based (inorganic) coagulants, organic chemicals known as
polyelectrolytes may also be used as coagulants or flocculant aids, to assist in producing low
turbidity levels in treated water. This is particularly necessary for high rate clarification and high
rate filtration processes.
Polyelectrolyte coagulants such as polyamines, polyacrylamides, and polyDADMACs are being used
increasingly in New Zealand, especially on low turbidity, low colour waters, where treatment is by
direct filtration. They can also be used in conjunction with inorganic coagulants, in which case they
are referred to as a coagulant aid.

13.3.3 Flocculants
Polyelectrolytes are now commonly used as flocculants in the majority of water treatment plants in
New Zealand. As a flocculant aid the chemicals are added following coagulant dosing to increase
the size, strength and settleability of flocs. Polyacrylamide-based polyelectrolytes are the most
commonly used flocculants in New Zealand. These may be cationic, anionic, or non-ionic. They are
produced with varying degrees of ionicity and in a range of molecular weights.

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To achieve their full effectiveness, polyelectrolytes are added after the primary coagulant (eg,
alum). A contact time of at least three minutes is not uncommon. Contact time in this context is the
time the water takes to flow between the two dosage points.

13.3.4 Health effects

For some time concerns have been raised in the international technical literature and by interest
groups about whether there are adverse health effects on consumers from residuals of chemicals in
drinking-water following treatment. As an example, some communities have opted not to use
aluminium-based coagulants because of unsubstantiated reports that claim that the aluminium in
drinking-water poses a risk to public health, despite scientific evidence (eg, Srinivasan et al 1999)
that adverse effects have not been demonstrated. Because there is no evidence of health risk, based
on WHO (2004), the DWSNZ do not have a Maximum Acceptable Value (MAV) for aluminium.
WHO (2012) does not change this point of view. These Guidelines include a datasheet for
aluminium. Alternatives to aluminium coagulants exist, eg, iron-based coagulants such as ferric
chloride, but there may be performance and cost penalties associated with their use.
Proven concerns do exist for kidney dialysis patients if the water that is used by the patient as the
dialysate liquid contains high concentrations of residual aluminium. Users of dialysis machines
should be advised to provide specific pre-dialysis treatment to ensure that residual concentrations
of aluminium and some other contaminants potentially introduced by treatment chemicals and
distribution materials are kept to acceptably low levels. This is absolutely critical if aluminium is
being used in the treatment of a supply for the first time, even though DWSNZ are (strictly
speaking) only applicable to water intended for drinking (refer section 1.3 of DWSNZ).
If water treatment chemicals are used in such a way that their residual concentration in the
drinking-water does not exceed the MAV, available research indicates there will be no significant
risk to health from drinking the water for a lifetime. However, industry practice is to operate
treatment plants significantly below these levels.
Only flocculants that are specifically manufactured for potable water use should be used in
drinking-water treatment. Many of the monomers used in the manufacture of polyelectrolytes, and
their impurities and resultant degradation products, are toxic, and the manufacturing process
needs to be controlled properly to limit the quantity of unreacted monomer in the manufactured
polyelectrolyte. For example acrylamide (a monomer residual of the manufacture of
polyacrylamides) has proven toxicity and carcinogenicity (its MAV is 0.0005 mg/L).
Epichlorohydrin (present in dimethylamine/epichlorohydrin cationic polyelectrolytes) also has a
MAV listed in the DWSNZ (0.0005 mg/L). The NZWWA Standards (1999, being revised 2012/13)
for the supply of three types of polyelectrolytes for use in drinking-water treatment outline
minimum requirements to ensure that high quality and low impurity products are used in
drinking-water treatment applications.
Part 3.4 of the index section of the datasheets lists the chemical determinands with health (or
possible health) concerns that can be found in water treated with coagulants and flocculants.
The total dose of polyelectrolytes applied in the water treatment process should be controlled to
limit the residuals in the treated water, see Chapter 10: Chemical Compliance. In particular, the
doses applied in sludge dewatering need to be taken into account if the supernatant water is
recycled into the treatment process.

13.4 Coagulation and flocculation

13.4.1 Overview

Coagulation and flocculation processes are intended to form particles that are large enough to be
separated and removed by subsequent sedimentation, or alternative clarification processes.
The coagulation stage occurs when a coagulant, such as alum, is added to the water to neutralise
the charges on the colloidal particles in the raw water, thus bringing the particles closer together to
allow a floc to begin to form. The coagulant solution should be applied at a concentration of around
0.5 percent, and certainly less than 1 percent (WHO 2001). Rapid, high-energy mixing (eg,
mechanical mixers, in-line blenders, jet sparge mixing) is necessary to ensure the coagulant is fully
mixed into the process flow to maximise its effectiveness. The coagulation process occurs very
quickly, in a matter of fractions of a second. Poor mixing can result in a poorly developed floc.
The flocculation process which follows coagulation, allows smaller particles formed during the
rapid coagulation stage to agglomerate into larger particles to form settleable and/or filterable floc
particles. After coagulant addition, the process water is mixed slowly for a defined flocculation
period, commonly 1030 minutes, however the optimum flocculation time will vary depending on
the raw water quality and downstream clarification process. Gentle mixing during this stage
provides maximum particle contact for floc formation, whilst minimising turbulence and shear
which may damage the flocs. Effectiveness of flocculation depends on the delay time (or contact
time) and mixing conditions prior to any flocculants being added, the rate of treatment, water
temperature and the mixing conditions within the flocculation chamber.
Contact flocculation is a variation from conventional flocculation in which the flocculation takes
place within the clarification process. The coagulation step remains the same, however the
flocculation chamber contains a contact medium. This medium traps the flocculating particles,
which will then attach to other particles, thereby continually increasing the size of the flocs until
the build up of particles clogs the media. Backwashing is then required to remove the flocculated
particles. Refer to Figure 13.4 (upflow adsorption clarifier).

13.4.2 Jar testing

The best approach for determining the treatability of a water source and determining the optimum
parameters (most effective coagulant, required dose rates, pH, flocculation times, most effective
flocculant aids) is by use of a jar tester.
As optimum pH and coagulant dose vary significantly with raw water characteristics, an initial
thorough investigation into the variations in raw water quality from the source should help in the
selection of the appropriate type of coagulation system to be used and its design. Unexpected
variations in raw water quality can cause the coagulation process to be compromised, causing
consequent problems with treated water quality.
The normal procedure when conducting a jar test is initially to find the best performing coagulant
and dose rate, and then to determine the optimum pH for the chosen coagulant and dose rate.
Performance is usually judged on turbidity, and then on colour (or UV absorbance) removal. Jar
tests can also be used to compare the usefulness of different flocculant polyelectrolytes, but not
their optimum dose rates; this must be done on the plant itself.
Standard aluminium and iron salt coagulants are acidic and therefore neutralise the alkalinity
present in the raw water. Excess alkalinity (after the addition of coagulant) is needed to allow good
floc formation. The optimum coagulant dose added at the wrong pH could result in almost no floc
formation. In New Zealands soft surface waters the optimum pH for coagulation is often only
achieved by adding an alkali such as soda ash (sodium carbonate) or hydrated lime, perhaps in the
range of 520 mg/L, see section 13.4.3.

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A raw water with a high pH and a low coagulant demand may not reach the optimal pH without
adding acid. However, unless the acid requirement is quite high, the optimum pH is usually
achieved simply by adding excess coagulant. This should not be done if it unduly increases the
concentration of aluminium in the finished water.
Smaller water treatment plants often choose to use PACl to avoid the need to dose alkali or acid, as
PACl is much less acidic than alum and is usually effective over a broader range of pH values.
To assist in maintaining good control of the coagulation process, jar tests should be carried out
routinely as part of the plant process control. The procedure should be conducted frequently,
whenever changes in the characteristics of the raw water occur, eg, after rain, intake changes, etc,
or when the water treatment plant is performing poorly.
Depending on the experience of the operator and the extent to which the raw water characteristics
have changed since the current dose rates were chosen, the first set of jar tests usually trials a range
of coagulant doses. Examination of the results should indicate which coagulant dose is closer to
that required for removal of the colour and turbidity.
Many water supplies need a second set of jar tests at different pH values, to give an indication of
where the optimum pH is likely to be. Subsequent jar tests fine up on the dosage selection.
Generally, the more turbidity and colour there is, the higher the optimum coagulant dose.
Experienced operators will know, usually from the turbidity, how much coagulant is needed to
remove the solids (or colour) load. Alum or iron salts are usually dosed at about 1550 mg/L (solid
weight equivalent).
The individual jars are assessed for a variety of factors, including which developed a floc first,
which jars floc grew the fastest and became the largest, which settled fastest and which gave a
supernatant with the lowest colour, turbidity and coagulant residual. Normally, the same jar scores
best on each count. In some difficult waters the optimum dosage conditions are different for colour
and turbidity removal, or the optimum dose for colour and turbidity removal results in excessive
residual concentrations of coagulant entering the distribution system. These waters require
extensive jar testing to determine the best compromise. The number of jar tests needed to
determine optimum parameters is learned from experience.
Refer to AWWA (2000) for further information on the jar testing procedure.
Additional laboratory equipment useful for managing coagulation and subsequent treatment
includes a bench turbidimeter, colour comparator, pH meter, alkalinity titration equipment and a
spectrophotometer for measuring aluminium and possibly iron and manganese residual
concentrations following treatment. Colour measurement is a fairly subjective test, and readings
made by a group of people can have a wide spread. If the laboratory intends to use a
spectrophotometer, it may be wise to purchase a UV/visible model, because for a particular water a
correlation can be established between the true colour (Hazen units) and the UV absorbance
measured in a 1 cm cell at 254 or 270 nm after filtration. UV absorbance is able to be measured
quickly and reliably.

13.4.3 Performance and control

The performance of coagulation and flocculation is dependent on a large number of factors, many
of which are inter-related, making optimisation difficult. Source water characteristics, chemical
dose rates, mixing conditions, flocculation times, the selection of chemicals and their order of
addition, can all affect performance. Control of pH and alkalinity is also essential to maintain
performance.

Clarifier and filter performance will also be directly affected by the overall performance of these
stages of the process. It is therefore critical to maintain good performance and control of
coagulation and flocculation for overall treatment plant performance.
Depending on the pH of the source water, pH adjustment prior to coagulant addition may be
required to achieve the optimum pH levels. Subsequent readjustment will almost certainly be
required to ensure acceptable pH levels in the distribution system.
The optimum pH for the coagulation process varies with the choice of coagulant. For aluminium
sulphate it is usually 5.5 to 7.5, for ferric salts it may be within the range 5 to 8.5. The optimum pH
will vary with changing raw water characteristics.
Many surface waters in New Zealand have an alkalinity of less than 20 mg/L as CaCO 3. 1 mg/L of
alum (measured as solid weight equivalent)1 will consume 0.5 mg/L of alkalinity (as CaCO3). If all
the alkalinity is neutralised, no more floc will form. Often the alum dose that is required to
coagulate all the turbidity and colour present requires soda ash, caustic soda or hydrated lime to be
dosed to provide the additional alkalinity and maintain control of the pH. This commonly occurs
after heavy rain, and if the alkalinity and pH are not controlled, process failure can result, with
turbid water and dissolved aluminium entering the distribution system.
Being a sensitive, physico-chemical process, coagulation/flocculation is most reliable when raw
water quality is consistent, when changes occur slowly, or when adequate automation is used to
respond to changes in raw water quality. Unfortunately, this is not true of many of our streams and
rivers. See Chapter 12: Pretreatment Processes, section 12.3.2 for a discussion on the benefits of
off-river storage.
As raw water conditions change, optimal coagulation dose rates also change and careful control is
required to prevent overdosing and underdosing.
Overdosing can lead to excessive concentrations of coagulant entering the distribution system, and
waste money. This can occur if the pH and alkalinity are not controlled at optimum levels too. The
guideline value for aluminium (an aesthetic determinand) is 0.1 mg/L as Al, which is
approximately equivalent to 1.1 mg/L as solid weight equivalent alum.
Underdosing can cause poor removal of colour, turbidity and micro-organisms.
Online monitoring of raw water quality determinands, such as pH and turbidity will aid treatment
plant performance and assist in selecting optimum coagulation dose rates. It may be helpful to
measure UV absorbance online if the raw water has high colour.
Control of the coagulation process can be automated. Two control methods used in New Zealand
for coagulation are the streaming current monitor (very common) and feed forward control (less
common).

Streaming current monitors measure the zeta potential (a measure of the electrical charge on
the particles in the water) of the raw water following chemical addition and this can be used to
adjust the coagulant dose rate accordingly as the raw water characteristics vary. This process
was described by Ogilvie (1998).

1Solid weight equivalent alum refers to Al2(SO4)3.14H2O (molecular weight of 594). New Zealand
liquid alum is delivered as 47% w/w (equivalent to 62% w/v). Sometimes alum doses are reported
as Al2O3 (molecular weight of 102, 8.2% w/w of as-delivered liquid alum) or as Al (molecular
weight of 54, 4.3% w/w of as-delivered liquid alum).
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Chapter 13: Treatment processes, coagulation January 2014

Feed forward control systems monitor natural organic matter (using UV light) and pH in the
raw water prior to coagulant addition and predict the required coagulant dose rates to be
applied.

13.5 Clarification and sedimentation

13.5.1 Overview
The term clarification, or sedimentation, is normally used to describe the settling of the flocs
produced by the coagulation and flocculation process. This is distinct from presettling of highly
turbid waters in detention ponds, which is discussed in Chapter 12: Pretreatment Processes,
section 12.3.3.
Historically, clarification involved the simple principle of particle settling to separate the floc
particles. New technologies such as dissolved air flotation (DAF), and high rate clarification
processes, such as lamella plates, tube settlers, Actiflo, and buoyant media clarification, have
been developed and are being used increasingly. These clarification processes are illustrated in
Figures 13.3 to 13.6 and are described below. The majority of the clarifiers in New Zealand are of
the upflow, sludge blanket, hopper bottomed configuration. However, there are small numbers of
most other designs including horizontal flow, DAF, buoyant media clarifiers and lamella settlers.
The surface loading rate is a key parameter in clarifier design, irrespective of the clarifier type. This
is usually expressed in m3/m2/h (more correctly m3/m2.h or m/h). This is the flow (m3/h) that
occurs over the horizontal area (m2) of the settling zone of the tank. Acceptable surface loading
rates vary significantly for the different clarification types from 2 m/h for a hopper bottomed
upflow clarifier, to 12 m/h for a DAF process, to 40 m/h for the Actiflo process.
Chapter 5 of the review draft LT2ESWTR Toolbox Guidance Manual (USEPA 2009) discusses
various types of sedimentation basins.

13.5.2 Clarifier types

Conventional clarifiers
Conventional clarifiers (or sedimentation tanks) may be classified on the basis of flow direction
(horizontal, radial, or upflow), the presence or absence of a sludge blanket, and shape (circular,
rectangular, or hopper/wedge bottomed). A few earlier plants recycled a fraction of the sludge in an
effort to enhance flocculation. Upflow clarifiers are suitable for a large range of raw water
turbidities, however they are sensitive to flow changes. Flocculation times of 36 minutes are
typical (further flocculation will continue to occur in the clarifier itself) whereas horizontal
clarifiers require approximately 2030 minutes flocculation time. Typical surface loading rates for
conventional clarifiers are 2 m/h. This can be increased to up to 5 m/h if polyelectrolytes are used.
Lamella settlers
Lamella settlers, Figure 13.3, make use of inclined plates or tubes to increase the effective surface
area for settling (and hence are also known as plate or tube settlers), thereby increasing the
efficiency of the clarification process. For a given throughput the footprint of a lamella settler will
be considerably less than a conventional clarifier. Typical surface loading rates are
515 m/h. Lamella settlers are less vulnerable to flow fluctuations than conventional clarifiers.

Figure 13.3: Lamella plates

Buoyant media clarifiers

Buoyant media clarifiers, or adsorption clarifiers, Figure 13.4, are a variant on the conventional
clarification stage and combine flocculation and clarification into one step. The coagulated water
passes through a medium of buoyant adsorption material (normally a plastic), kept in place by a
screen. This allows contact flocculation to take place as flocs attach to the media and are thereby
removed from the water. Solids will continually build up until the media clogs. Backwashing is then
required to expand the media and remove the solids.
Figure 13.4: Adsorption clarifier

This process often requires a larger polyelectrolyte dose and is better suited to raw water sources
with low turbidity and colour. High turbidities will very quickly clog the media and result in
excessive backwashing. Typical surface loading rates of 1925 m/h can be applied.
Dissolved air flotation
Dissolved air flotation (DAF), as illustrated in Figure 13.5, is a clarification process particularly
effective for removal of colour, and algae cells that are difficult to settle. It is suited to moderate
levels of turbidity, and only small doses of polyelectrolyte are typically required. Surface loading
rates of 1012 m/h are common.
The process works by injecting very small air bubbles near the inlet of the flotation tank, which
attach to flocs (usually aluminium based) formed in a separate flocculation tank, and floats them to
the surface. Flocculation times of 1520 minutes are typically required. Clarified water is then
collected from near the tank bottom. A portion of the flow (approximately 510 percent) is recycled
and saturated with air. The recycled water re-enters the flotation tank through a series of nozzles,
causing a pressure reduction that releases small air bubbles from the saturated water.

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Figure 13.5: Dissolved air flotation (DAF)

Floated flocs collect as a sludge layer on the water surface. Periodic desludging occurs either by
hydraulic flooding of the flotation tank, the sludge layer spilling over a collection weir, or by
mechanical skimming, which will form a thicker sludge.
The in-filter DAF (sometimes referred to as DAFF) is a variation of the typical DAF process in
which the base of the DAF tank is made into a rapid granular media filter, thus incorporating
clarification and filtration into one step.
Pulsed blanket clarifiers
Pulsed blanket clarifiers use a vacuum system to create pulsations to hold the sludge blanket in
suspension and aid flocculation, allowing for higher surface loading rates (up to 3 m/h). In the
Superpulsator system (installed at the Waikato Water Treatment Plant), clarification is enhanced
by inclined plates, allowing surface loading rates of up to about 6 m/h.
Actiflo
The Actiflo process is a package plant, microsand ballasted clarification process, as illustrated in
Figure 13.6. The process reduces flocculation times to approximately 510 minutes, and allows
very high surface loading rates of 3040 m/h (up to 100 m/h). There are no Actiflo units
operating in New Zealand as at 2005.
Figure 13.6: Actiflo process

Coagulant addition and mixing occurs in the first chamber. Polyelectrolytes and microsand are
added in a second chamber, and flocculation occurs in the third chamber. The flocculated water is
then passed through a lamella settler. Settled sludge is collected and passed through a
hydrocyclone, in which the microsand and floc particles are separated. The microsand is recycled
back through the process and the sludge is separated for disposal.

The use of microsand as a seed for floc formation improves performance in two ways. The high
specific area assists floc formation, whilst the high specific density improves the settleability
characteristics of the flocs.
The Actiflo process is similar in some respects to the Sirofloc process that was developed in
Australia in the 1980s, except that the Sirofloc process uses 110 m magnetite that behaves
similarly to a coagulant when added (with acid) to the raw water. The resulting suspension is then
subject to a magnetic field to form settleable flocs. The magnetite is recovered and reused.

13.5.3 Optimisation and performance issues

Most clarifiers will provide a reasonable level of treatment provided the upstream chemical dosing
is optimised, and a reasonable surface loading rate suitable for the clarification type, is not
exceeded. For example, studies on the removal of protozoal cysts in conventional treatment have
shown that the clarifier is usually responsible for over 90 percent (1 log) of the (oo)cyst removal
(USEPA 2003).
High effluent turbidities in water leaving a clarifier are indicative of poor performance. Flocs,
which should have been removed in the clarifier, pass out and on to the filters. This will result in
reduced filter run times and poorer filtered water quality. A well-operating clarifier should be able
to produce an effluent of turbidity 2 NTU or less. Conventional clarifiers are sensitive to changes in
flowrate, however, high rate clarification processes are less susceptible to such changes.
There is limited guidance for clarifier performance. The US Partnership for Safe Water Guidelines
for Phase IV Excellence in Water Treatment sets performance goals as part of overall plant
performance to achieve less than 0.10 NTU filtered water. This includes clarified water turbidity:

less than 1.0 NTU 95 percent of the time when raw water is less than or equal to 10 NTU

less than 2.0 NTU 95 percent of the time when raw water turbidity is >10 NTU.

Despite this, it has often been found that the sedimentation process is more effective when the raw
water is turbid; some earlier plants with low turbidity raw water took advantage of this by dosing
bentonite into the raw water.
A key aspect of consistently achieving <0.10 NTU filtered water turbidity is that changes in raw
water turbidity should have minimal effect on clarified water turbidity, and negligible effect on
individual filter turbidity. This requires optimisation of coagulation.
A common operational problem in clarifiers of the hopper-bottomed upflow type in New Zealand is
for short-circuiting currents to occur, usually in summer and around the middle of the afternoon.
This can be attributed to a temperature differential between the incoming water and the water in
the tank. The result is a billowing of the floc blanket and subsequent carry-over of floc on to the
filters. The same effect can be caused by algae in the sludge blanket becoming buoyant due to
increased production of oxygen due to photosynthesis. High algal populations are needed for this
effect to become a nuisance. Clarifiers with good inflow mixing do not seem to experience the same
degree of problem. The only satisfactory solution to this problem, (apart from fitting tube settlers
to the tank), appears to be to reduce the flow and hence the surface loading rate during the problem
period.
Another common problem is excessive floc carry-over caused by uneven flows occurring over the
clarifier surface. Inspecting and levelling the outlet weirs to ensure that all receive equal flows can
correct this. If the flows are still uneven, the inlet flows to each clarifier must be checked, and
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adjusted so that they are even. For non-hopper bottomed clarifiers it is also important to ensure
that the distribution of the flow within the clarifier is even.
Multiple tanks in larger plants often experience a high frequency wave in the outlet weirs that may
disrupt the floc blanket. However, this generally does not cause a significant problem.
For clarifiers using a floc blanket, good control of the blanket surface and regular removal of floc
from both the top and body of the blanket and base of the tank is important. In conventional
clarifiers, the use of sludge (or gravilectric) cones gives better results than the earlier system of
constructed corner pockets. Bottom sludge scours should be operated regularly (based on
experience) to keep sludge fresh and to prevent excessive sludge build up. Bottom sludge has been
known to go anaerobic at plants with a high level of organic matter or algae in the raw water.
Regular sludge removal is important for all clarifier types. For DAF units, desludging should also
occur regularly to prevent sludge re-settling. The sludge in this process is exposed, so it is
important that the tanks are covered to prevent the rain and wind affecting performance.
Buoyant media clarifiers need to be backwashed when the media becomes clogged, again to prevent
excessive floc carry-over to the downstream filtration step.
Growth of algae and slimes on the walls of sedimentation tanks and other channels should be
discouraged. Regular cleaning is recommended, because such material can increase the levels of
dissolved organic matter that the plant must contend with, and can contribute to taste and odour
problems.

13.6 Lime softening and ion exchange

Water containing significant concentrations of calcium and magnesium is referred to as hard
water. Hard water can cause scaling of pipes and household appliances and reduces the solubility
of soaps and detergents in the water.
Lime softening and ion exchange processes can be used to soften water, however both are currently
of limited use in New Zealand for drinking-water, mainly because, on average, New Zealand waters
are softer than those found in many other parts of the world.

13.6.1 Lime softening

The lime softening process removes hardness by chemical precipitation, followed by sedimentation
and filtration, therefore showing similarities to the conventional chemical clarification process.
Lime, caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) or soda ash is added to the water, increasing the pH, which
causes the metal ions to flocculate and precipitate. The metal precipitates are removed during the
sedimentation stage, prior to filtration. Other contaminants may also combine with the precipitates
and be removed by this process.
Calcium concentrations can be reduced at pH 9.5 to 10.5 in lime softening processes, although
magnesium requires pH 10.5 to 11.5. Several organisms are inactivated at the latter pH; see WHO
(2004a) for further information. The microbial treatment mechanism of this process is a
combination of inactivation due to elevated pH levels, and removal by sedimentation. However,
Cryptosporidium and Giardia are not inactivated by high pH levels. Removal of protozoa through
this process is solely due to the sedimentation and subsequent filtration. Section 5.4 of the DWSNZ
specifies the compliance criteria that need to be satisfied in order to qualify for 3 log credits.

A single stage lime softening plant consists of a primary clarifier and filtration step. An additional
clarifier is required between the primary clarifier and the filtration step for two-stage lime
softening. A coagulant is added to both stages of clarification. Two-stage lime softening can provide
additional Cryptosporidium removal due to the additional sedimentation stage within the process.
Refer also to Chapter 6 of the review draft LT2ESWTR Toolbox Guidance Manual (USEPA 2009)
which discusses issues related to lime softening.

13.6.2 Ion exchange

Ion exchange is discussed in this section because it is used frequently to soften water; it is not a
coagulation process, and does not earn protozoal log credits. Many aspects of ion exchange are
covered in NSF/ANSI 44-2004.
Ion exchange treatment units can be cationic, anionic, weakly or strongly ionic, or mixed bed,
depending on the reason for its use.
Mixed bed units are employed for producing deionised water, usually for laboratories and industry.
WHO (2005) also discusses some negative aspects of drinking deionised, distilled or reverse
osmosis water, due to their tastelessness, and loss of essential minerals, mainly calcium and
magnesium. This is discussed briefly in Chapter 10: Chemical Compliance, section 10.2.2.
Cationic beds can be used to remove calcium from the water, usually replacing it with sodium; if
iron and manganese exist in the water in the soluble state (ie, ionic) their concentrations can be
reduced as well. The process needs to be monitored to determine when the resin needs recharging.
Some smaller units use a colour indicator for this purpose.
Strong-base anion exchange can be used to reduce the concentration of arsenic in the form of
soluble arsenite or arsenate. This process replaces most anions in the water, usually with chloride
ions, which can make the water corrosive.
There are currently two approaches to nitrate removal. One is as described in the previous
paragraph, where all anions are replaced with chloride. Since anion exchange resins are generally
more selective for sulphate over nitrate, the capacity of a resin for nitrate removal will be limited by
the concentration of sulphate. The other approach is to use a nitrate selective resin, usually
reducing nitrate to less than 2 mg/L as N.
WHO (2004a) describes ion exchange as follows:
Ion exchange is a treatment process in which a solid phase presaturant ion is exchanged for
an unwanted ion in the untreated water. The process is used for water softening (removal of
calcium and magnesium), removal of some radionuclides (eg, radium and barium) and
removal of various other contaminants (eg, nitrate, arsenate, chromate, selenate and
dissolved organic carbon). The effectiveness of the process depends on the background water
quality, and the levels of other competing ions and total dissolved solids. Although some ion
exchange systems can be effective for adsorbing viruses and bacteria, such systems are not
generally considered a microbial treatment barrier, because the organisms can be released
from the resin by competing ions and flow changes. Also, ion exchange resins may become
colonised by bacteria, which can then contaminate treated effluents. Backflushing and other
rinsing procedures, even regeneration, will not remove all of the attached microbes.
Impregnation of the resin with silver suppresses bacterial growth initially, but eventually a
silver-tolerant population develops. Disinfection of ion exchange resins using 0.01 percent
peracetic acid (one-hour contact time) has been suggested.

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As explained in the previous paragraph, ion exchange cannot be relied upon to consistently remove
(oo)cysts from water, hence does not qualify for protozoal log credits. Ion exchange resins have
been developed that can reduce the concentration of natural organic matter, eg, as used in Oricas
MIEX process. This process can be used upstream of a conventional chemical coagulation plant
that has difficulty in complying with the criteria in section 5.4 of the DWSNZ. Although this ion
exchange process does not qualify for log credits on its own, it may well be possible for the whole
process to earn 3 log credits (section 5.4), or 3.5 (section 5.4 plus 5.7), or even 4 log credits (section
5.4 plus 5.8). The use of ion exchange resins that reduce the concentration of natural organic
matter may offer the additional advantage of reducing the concentration of disinfection byproduct
precursors sufficiently to avoid monitoring for, or removing, DBPs.
Ion exchange is discussed in Chapter 9 of AWWA (1990).

13.7 Rapid granular media filtration

13.7.1 Overview
Rapid granular media filtration, as illustrated in Figure 13.7, provides the conventional polishing
step following coagulation and sedimentation, and is the only floc removal/polishing step in direct
filtration plants. It is the most common type of filtration used in New Zealand water treatment
plants. The filter may operate by gravity or pressure. Other filtration processes not generally used
in conjunction with coagulation are discussed separately in Chapter 14: Treatment Processes,
Filtration. WHO (2004a) discusses some design, operation and performance aspects of granular
media filtration. Refer also to Chapter 7 of the review draft LT2ESWTR Toolbox Guidance Manual
(USEPA 2009) which discusses issues related to filtration, including enhanced individual and
combined filtration.
Figure 13.7: Rapid granular media filter

Like clarifiers, filters can be described by their treatment rate. This is usually expressed as m 3/m2/h
(more correctly m3/m2.h or m/h) and is the flowrate (m3/h) that occurs over the surface area (m2)
of the filter bed. Filtration rates are also measured as mm/s.
Older filters were designed to operate at around 5 m/h (1.4 mm/s). However, many modern filters
and dual media filters will operate at higher filtration rates of 1015 m/h (2.84.2 mm/s),
especially if the coagulant is assisted with polyelectrolyte.
As water passes through a filter bed of media, particulate matter (including micro-organisms) is
trapped within the media primarily by a two-step process in which particles are moved to the
surfaces of media grains or previously captured floc, and then become attached (adsorbed) to these
surfaces. Physical straining is only a minor factor in rapid granular filtration.

The particles that build up in the bed are subsequently removed by backwashing at regular
intervals. Traditionally, single medium sand filters of shallow depth (typically between 600 and
750 mm excluding the support gravel) were the most common. However, newer plants often
contain dual media, either anthracite or thermally modified pumice (silicon sponge) over sand, or
coarse medium deep bed with typical total media depths of between 1.2 and 1.5 m. For further
information on these newer media refer to Kawamura (2000), and for pumice (or porous ceramic
dual media) filters refer to Hill and Langdon (1991).
The concept of dual or multimedia filters is to include a relatively coarse medium (eg, anthracite)
on the top, followed by finer media beneath. This causes deeper penetration of the particles being
removed, allowing longer filter runs. Some multimedia filters use a very fine medium at the bottom
of the bed (eg, garnet); this allows finer particles to be trapped but increases the headloss. The
effectiveness of multimedia filters depends on the media remaining separate even after multiple
backwashes. This is achieved by a balance between the relative densities of each filter medium and
the backwashing conditions. Depending on the nature of the particles being removed, multimedia
filters may be effective without using coagulation.
By using a polyelectrolyte as a coagulant aid or filter aid, the strength or stickiness of the
attachment between the floc particles and the media grains is increased, allowing higher filtration
rates and coarser media gradings to be used thereby reducing the rate that headloss increases. It
also means the filter is less likely to let go of these particles following flow increases or surges.
If too much polyelectrolyte is dosed, the particles will adsorb to sand grains at the top of the filter,
causing the headloss to increase too quickly. At a more appropriate polyelectrolyte dose, the
particles penetrate further into the bed, making more use of the full depth of the media, and
allowing much longer filter runs. If the polyelectrolyte dose is too low, many of the particles may
pass through the bed if the filter grains are coarse or the filtration rate too high. Bed penetration
can be assessed by measuring the headloss at various depths through the filter.
Rapid granular filters can be operated at either a constant rate of flow (constant rate filtration) or
at a flow rate that declines as headloss builds up during a filter run (declining rate filtration).
Constant rate filtration is the more common method and is normally achieved by the control valve
on the filter outlet opening progressively during a filter run to compensate for the build up of
headloss though the bed.
Backwashing is the term used to describe the cleaning of the filter by passing water (often preceded
by, and/or in combination with, air) in the reverse flow direction to when the filter is in normal
operation. Similarly to the term filtration rate, the term backwash rate in m/h (or mm/s) is used to
describe the intensity of the backwash operation. Traditionally in New Zealand, backwash rates
were low (typically 2025 m/h), preceded by an air scour at a similar rate. There are a variety of
systems in use including air scour followed by water backwash, water only, and combined air/water
followed by water backwash. Modern best practice is a combined air scour/low rate water
backwash (the optimal regime is known as collapse pulsing), followed by a high rate water
backwash (as high as 55 m/h). A bed expansion of 20 percent is the objective during the high-rate
backwash to ensure full bed fluidisation and adequate cleaning. Note that to achieve the same
degree of bed expansion will require higher flow rates in summer compared with winter, as warmer
water has a lower viscosity than cold, and the effects of this should be considered in backwash
design.

13.7.2 Turbidity monitoring

Turbidity measurement is used to assess the efficiency of the filter in achieving protozoa removal
for compliance with DWSNZ. Sampling must be made on water directly from the filtration process.
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The DWSNZ require turbidity monitoring of each filter (unless the population served is below a
threshold value see Table 5.3 of DWSNZ). Particle counters can also be used to measure and
optimise filter performance, but these are not required for compliance purposes.
Although turbidimeters are not required on individual filters at smaller plants, their use is strongly
encouraged. This is because when measuring a combined effluent from multiple filters, one filter
may be producing poor quality water that is then diluted by good quality water from the other
filters and the sub-standard filters performance would not be noticed. Continuously monitoring
each filter will indicate whether any slow start mechanism, filter-to-waste, the headloss control,
filter run length, filtration rate control, and filter cleaning are operating or selected correctly.
To earn 3 log credits under DWSNZ for protozoa removal using the coagulation, sedimentation,
filtration process, or 2.5 log credits for direct filtration, one of the requirements is that the filtrate
from each filter must be less than 0.30 NTU for at least 95 percent of the time (DWSNZ, sections
5.4 and 5.5).
Additional log credits are available for enhanced filtration, ie, individual filter effluent (IFE)
monitoring and combined filter effluent (CFE) monitoring, see Chapter 8: Protozoa Compliance.
These will usually be the standard rapid granular media filters, but producing a lower turbidity
filtrate. The standard tungsten lamp type nephelometer may not be sensitive enough at such low
NTUs; a laser turbidimeter may be required. Turbidity measurement and calibration is discussed in
Chapter 8: Protozoa Compliance, section 8.5.3.1.

13.7.3 Filter operation

As solids build up through the bed, headloss across the bed will increase and at some stage
turbidity will also increase. Backwashing frequency can therefore be triggered by headloss,
turbidity or filter run times (based on operational experience). The filter goes through a ripening
period when it is brought back online, during which time the filtrate quality will be sub-standard.
For this reason slow-start, delayed starts, and filter-to-waste are becoming common practice.

13.7.4 Optimisation of the filtration process

Increased filtrate turbidity (or residual coagulant, eg, aluminium or iron) is the primary indication
of problems with a filter, however reduced run times (caused by turbidity or headloss reaching the
set point earlier than usual) can also highlight problems.
Raw water that has high colour and low turbidity (and typically with low alkalinity) can be very
difficult to treat, particularly when the water is less than say 10C. The floc often only forms in a
narrow range of alum dose and pH conditions. It is usually small, slow to form, and light, so that it
is very susceptible to shear due to flow changes. It can even be difficult to see. These waters can
also result in elevated aluminium levels in the filtered water, and hence additional attention should
be paid to monitoring filtered water aluminium.
If turbidity increases are observed across all the filters, there is likely to be a common problem
upstream of the filters. The following are some possible causes of high turbidity in the filtered
water:

non-optimal coagulant dosing may cause poor floc formation, which can overload and/or pass
through the filters; this can be caused by selection of an inappropriate alum dose, or coagulation
occurring at the wrong pH

operational problems such as the alum solution being the wrong strength (or even run out!), or
the automatic adjustment to flow rate being faulty, or inadequate sludge removal from the
settling tanks

dose pumps not performing to specification; a good practice is to check the pump discharge
against the dose setting (sometimes called the stroke), for example, by using dose timers, or
calculating from the weight used while a measured flow has been treated

flowrates may have been increased too rapidly, causing sludge blanket instability

floc carry-over from a poor clarification process will increase the solids loading on to the filters,
reducing run times and causing excessive backwashing

insufficient polyelectrolyte for the conditions, causing sludge blanket instability

excessive polyelectrolyte dosing, which can quickly blind the filter and reduce filter runs,
thereby causing the filtered water turbidity to increase earlier than expected

flow increasing excessively through the remaining filters when one is being washed

direct filtration, being a one-step process, is particularly susceptible to sudden changes in raw
water quality and flowrate.

If filtered water turbidity is high on a single filter, the problem is likely to reside only with that
filter. Some problems, their consequences, and potential indicators are listed below:

backwash/air scour flowrates too low resulting in a partially washed filter being put back into
service

backwash/air scour flowrates too high resulting in loss of sand, allowing particles to pass
through the bed

insufficient duration of washing, also resulting in a partially washed filter being put back into
service; an elevated clean bed headloss (above normal values) on start-up immediately after a
backwash is a good indication that insufficient backwashing has occurred

failed or blocked backwash nozzles or underdrain system. This situation results in excessive
filtration rates and backwash flows through that part of the filter bed that is still in operation.
Observing a filter during a wash can assist in detecting individual failed nozzles: the overall
water or air distribution pattern during the wash will be uneven

filter flow meter, controller, or filtration rate indicator may be out of calibration

uneven flow split to each filter may cause reduced filter run times for some filters and excessive
flows to others. Inlet pipe or channel configurations should be checked.

If filter runs are longer than expected, they may not be due to improved quality of the water feeding
the filters. They can result from:

backwash/air scour flow rates being too high or the duration too long. Over-washing may lead to
media loss (thus reducing media depth in the filter), or impairment of the medias ability to
adsorb particles. Checking and recording the media depth at regular intervals can highlight if
media is being lost due to over washing

polyelectrolyte dosage is important, particularly in high rate or coarse-grained filters. As

mentioned above, too much polyelectrolyte can blind the filter, but too little polyelectrolyte can
result in some floc passing through the bed

plants treating raw water with a low turbidity and average to high natural organic matter,
usually direct filtration, may produce filtered water with a low turbidity despite very little of the
aluminium being removed. A slower than usual increase in headloss indicates a low removal
rate of solids. Plants treating raw water like that should test for aluminium in the final water to
check that the process is operating satisfactorily.

Sudden flow changes can cause problems with filtrate quality, eg, when:

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filters are taken out of service, as there will be a corresponding flow increase to the other filters.
Allowing only gradual flow changes during this operation, rather than a sudden change, will
minimise these effects

poor flow control at the outlet from the filter typically caused by incorrect valve and/or actuator
selection

inadequate storage of treated water can require sudden increases in flow through the plant
which will challenge the whole treatment process.

Monitoring the raw water quality, optimisation of the coagulation and clarification processes, and
good operating procedures can minimise these effects.
Other common problems with granular media filters include bed cracking, shrinkage of the media
away from the walls, mudballing, and the media in multimedia beds intermixing. These are
generally caused by excessive clarifier effluent turbidity, dosing polyelectrolyte too high, poor filter
backwash/air scour capability, or excessive filtration rates for the filter type, and can usually be
checked by visually assessing or sampling the media.
Mudballing problems (ie, sand particles sticking together) can be alleviated by using high pressure
sparge cleaning and/or acid, chlorine or caustic soda washing to break up the mud balls. Often
there is a more fundamental problem that needs to be addressed to solve the problem long term,
such as inadequate filter backwashing that may require significant upgrading of the filters.
A quick checklist that can be used if the turbidity of a filter effluent exceeds the required or normal
level is as follows; determine whether:

the raw water quality changed

the solids loading on the filters increased

the coagulant dose was selected correctly

the coagulant is being dosed correctly

the coagulation pH is optimum

all the alkalinity has been neutralised

polyelectrolyte is needed or is being dosed correctly

the turbidity excursions occur at the same time of day or season (eg, algal problems)

one or more of the filters is responsible

the filter-to-waste period should be extended

the filters are receiving unequal flows

the backwash and air scour flows and pressures are correct

parts of the bed are mudballed (blocked), causing uneven filtration rates

the filter beds are cracked or shrinking away from the walls

excessive sand loss has reduced the media depth

the filter rate is excessive for the type of filter

the problem only occurs when a certain operator is on duty.

If the filtered water turbidity readings tend to produce spikes, check whether:

all filters are responsible

the filters are returning to service too soon after a wash

the slow start mechanism is operating correctly

a filter run was excessive

the state of the filter bed and underdrainage system cause poor backwashing

the headloss instruments or flow controllers are inaccurate

the treatment plant output increased too much or too rapidly

the flow balancing system is operating correctly (eg, when a filter is taken out of service for
washing)

the filter outlet valve is modulating smoothly enough

more polyelectrolyte is needed to cope with short periods of high flow

it happens at the same time as something else (eg, when pump settings or valves are altered or
when the washwater is returned).

For further reading, try USEPA (1999). Section 4.2 deals with system evaluation and plant
optimisation, section 5 deals with individual filter self-assessment, and section 6 with
comprehensive performance evaluation.
WHO (2001) covers a lot of ground too.

13.8 Second stage filtration

Secondary filtration is a process whereby an entirely separate rapid granular filter box or vessel is
used as a second filtration stage following a first stage filter (ie, two separate filters used in series).
To qualify for additional log credits, coagulation must have taken place before the first stage filter,
which may contain a coarse medium, followed by the secondary filtration stage that is typically a
conventional dual or multimedia filter. Additional coagulants (or more commonly) filter aids
(polyelectrolytes), or oxidants can be added between the first and second stages.
Some reasons for using two-stage filtration include:

following direct filtration if the raw water quality is variable and the option is cheaper than
building sedimentation tanks

where the treatment plant occasionally experiences periods of stress, eg:

when very cold winter water causes aluminium flocs to form slowly
or during high summer flows

to remove iron and manganese after an oxidation stage, eg, after chlorination

to remove grit from poor quality lime. At this elevated pH, more iron and manganese may be
removed too

to remove further organic matter, including any disinfection by-products, by using granular
activated carbon (GAC) filters or biologically activated carbon (BAC) filters.
Complying with section 5.4: Coagulation, sedimentation and filtration processes earns 3 log
credits. Complying with section 5.5: Coagulation, direct filtration: treatment earns 2.5 log credits.
Secondary filtration may earn an additional 0.5 log credit for protozoal compliance, refer DWSNZ,
section 5.6.

The secondary stage filters must involve the use of a rapid sand, dual media, granular activated
carbon (GAC or BAC), or other fine grain media unit process applied in a separate stage following
rapid granular or dual media filtration. To qualify, a continuous chemical coagulation process must
be in operation upstream of the first filters. One of the monitoring requirements is that the
turbidity of the water leaving the secondary filters must not exceed 0.15 NTU for more than
5 percent of the time, see section 5.6.1 of the DWSNZ. See also USEPA (2003), and Chapter 9 of the
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review draft LT2ESWTR Toolbox Guidance Manual (USEPA 2009) which discusses issues related
to second stage filtration.
Sometimes the coagulation process is followed by membrane filtration. In this situation, a second
stage filter cannot earn additional log credits. The main reason is that water that has passed
through a very fine filter should not earn any more log credits for passing through a much coarser
filter. A compliant membrane filter will already be producing water with a turbidity less than 0.10
NTU, so it is not logical to earn more log credits for producing water that could have a higher
turbidity!

References
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Wellington: Ministry of Health.
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NZWWA. 1997. Standard for the Supply of Aluminium Sulphate for Use in Water Treatment (2nd
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edition). ISBN 1-877134-08-2. www.waternz.org.nz
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Spon Press, London. Available on the internet at:
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the addenda
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water. MW LeChevallier, K-K Au. IWA Publishing. 136 pp. Available on the internet at:
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Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality Management for New Zealand 2013

Chapter 13: Treatment processes, coagulation January 2014

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